₦airaland Forum

PHEEEMMMY:
Hello everyone, I need your honest advice.

I’m 39, currently working as a manager at a private cleaning company (the company cleans banks etc), but the pay is bad—₦100K per month for a master’s holder. I work Monday till Saturday and I barely have any time for any other thing. The job is killing me. I’ve decided it’s time to do something for myself, and I’m looking at joining the ride-hailing business (Uber, Bolt, Indrive, Taxify) in Lagos.

I plan to buy a car in the ₦3M-₦4M range with money from friends and family. But before I take that step, I want to hear from you, the experts. If I were your brother, what would you honestly tell me?

-Is this a smart move?
-What kind of car should I go for in this budget?
-What are the biggest challenges I should expect?
-Can I make decent money, or is it just stress?

I respect your experience, so I want to hear the truth—good or bad. Thanks in advance for your advice!

Can you drive properly? Or this is your first rodeo.

Addition:
You will make way more money than your current salary. Like way more.. you can even afford to hire someone in your wage bracket at your former workplace.. ..

Don't rush to buy any car. Without a very sound car, you will be frustrated. Don't take this part lightly. A very sound car .That will serve at least 8 months before any Major repair. You have to do your due diligence.
If it means scouting for 3 months. Dont fall for agents that might dm you afterwards..


Can you reach out to family n friends to get you a car on rentals, I believe this will put you in a better ground state than starting out with loans.

I will prepare to launch out in April. The market should be really stable by then.

Pearl1910:
U guys advocate morning and night on this platform for Indrive because of low commission and "freedom". Instead of calling it out for being the market disruptor and spoiler that it actually is.
If any app should be boycotted it is Indrive.

Indrive has gone from bad to worse. I don't think dey qualify as an app anymore.

HelenaWills:
I would think this is a good price for a 2KM trip.

Was it ever higher than this?

It's not. That's a comfort ride. Cars from 2009- 2010 upwards. It's like saying taking a trip on 2010 corrolla for 2,400 naira.. That's ridiculous.

I'm sure one cant charter Korope bus for 2400.

odimbannamdi:
Is this Bolt or Indrive? This is definitely not Uber

Bolt. Uber is even terrible.

I believe those who can afford it, should ignore Bolt n Uber for the time being pending when both apps are cured of their madness.

Bolt wants 25% commission n you set up stupid fares. Uber likewise charges up to 33% commission and you expect drivers to take your dirty fares.
Average price of petrol in lagos is 980/litre. That's roughly 1,000 naira per litre.

Pearl1910:
No notice, no mail.
Just change price to the detriment of drivers. As though they are the ones that provided the cars for drivers.

I was shocked myself. Though I was home. I got it from a watsap group. I went to my rider app n I confirmed it was true. Very unprofessional way of doing things.

Omoapena:
Why bolt dey do like this now, and I been don dey enjoy online work o, I just dey do all trips online cox the price still make sense. Now that they have reduced price, nah to park my car o.

Yes, they reverted around midday. Indrive is not helping matters, they are crashing the fares.

Jaysharp:
Okay, thank you.

I asked this question because i was stopped by police this morning and he asked if Im uber i said yes. Then he proceed to check papers then told me if Im uber then my paper shouldnt be register as private. This is why i asked the question.

I wasn't delayed or disturb tho, just gave me the paper back and said I can go

Most of those officers don't know what they are saying..
It's the Mvaa( motor vehicle Administration) that determines the kind of number plates you are to use. He wanted to test whether you knew your rights.

YeyeGbami:
I did the hackney few years ago, i didn’t renew it since then Lacvis will randomly send me bill for “Non Display of Route and Route Number on Vehicle” .

I usually contest it by uploading vehicle license, could it be the hackney wey i no renew?

Pearl1910
Northbird

Yes. It's the hackney.

Coldie:
I have been in the UK for sometime now and the system has totally swallowed me, I feel very depressed and I want to leave permanently. I can only visit but not live there anymore. What’s the possibility.

How is Nigeria at present?

How much do I need to start back?

I believe you are joking? . If UK depresses you. What do you think will happen in Nigeria..
I guess, you have had things just too easy so you are numbed from the harsh realities of societal life down here in Nigeria,even the rich are not spared.

Identify the root causes of your depression, work, spouse, environment, business associates, the things you listen to and make proper adjustments.

Take a leave for two weeks if it's possible. You are going to do two things.
1. Be grateful to the Divine being (God) for bringing you to this point. Mention the good things you can see in your life.

2. Take a % of your income/savings . Buy food packs and start handing out to the homeless. There's always a section of the city where you have homeless people . You might need a physical assistant to help you.
Especially breakfast . You can buy foodpacks from restaurants/street food vendors. and share it strictly to the homeless.
Do this for 2 weeks while being grateful to the Divine one for all the help received so far.
Before the end of the 2 cycles of 7 days, you will have clarity on the way forward.

HIGHESTPOPORI:
He should take the risks,some people here are making 500k net in a month

Are those "some",rookies? 5.5m translates to around 100k+ remittance weekly in 12 months. We haven't even factored the 20% interest. It's so easy on paper.

africana23:
Good day everyone, I want to start Uber but I don't know the kind of car to buy. I have access loan of 5.5m with 20% interest ro pay back in 12months. is it advisable to buy local use or it must be foreign used (tokunbo). Lastly, is it realistic that i will be able to pay back the loan with uber.
I look forward to hearing from you all, thanks.

Ditch that idea. You strike me like a new driver and a rookie in ehailing. You can't pay 5.5m in 12 months doing ehailing/Uber.
Don't put yourself under undue pressure.
I sincerely hope you will heed to this advice.

Omoapena:
Are you sure, like very sure?

Yes.. It is on lock. They would have calculated the Amortisation rates coupled with allowances for inflation. Don't forget, there's a specific tenor to fulfill the contract obligations. It's binding on both parties ( fleet management and the driver).

Omoapena:
I want to ask something, this moove cars, I know the price range was 10m few years back, I think around 2021 to 2023, and I know it's 4years deal before ownership will be transferred to the driver.

My question now is, as inflation rises, do they also increase the car values (total amount) for the drivers that have been driving it when the price was 10m or they stick to the initial agreement of that 10m?

They keep to the agreed sum at the inception of the contract.

Glithronix:
That's exactly the price range. It's crazy, baba.

Much respect, sir.

Infact, I was there when he made that call. I would have doubted it if some else told me.

10 million naira car is way too much for the hustle. A cheaper car will do the same work,so why go for a more expensive equipment.
The clients that really appreciate good cars are in the minority. The reason why car hire, Airport n rental cars park n don't run around Lagos.

Glithronix:
Those GAC vehicles of LAGRIDE are very suitable for the hustle, that's why they are being used for it.
The fuel economy of both the SUV and Sedan is the same as that of Corolla and even more economical than the latter.
The only thing is the parts - our Corolla and Camry kazeems can not be trusted with GAC parts cos they can mess it up by using different brands just to fit in.
Anyone going for the GAC must know their service centres and make them his/her go-to for anything.
No idea about their parts' prices, might be cheaper or more expensive, but the vehicle is very rugged and smooth drive issa pleasure.
GAC is a luxurious vehicle for the job and suitable.
No vehicle is more expensive for e-hailing as long as it is 4plug and not more than 2.4Ltr. engine.
If I was asked to choose one car among the ones you listed above, I would gladly go for the GAC. That ride is a beauty both interior & exterior, I've driven it before. I am someone who values aesthetics. When you show up to your riders, they should feel good entering your car.
But the car is very expensive.
You know how much the midget Suzuki S-Presso is now? Mad oooh.


Much respect, sir.

Someone called the Moove number to ask about the price. He was told 22-24 million. n those GAC should be in that range currently.

dav1002:
I was just asking besides I think economy is rides without ac

I get you. I'm just stating in general terms.
Inflation is real and can be witnessed in prices of car parts. So one must endeavour to earn more money ( by doing quality trips) to catch up with inflation.

dav1002:
At this point, is it not better to be placed in those lower categories and be seeing trips back to back than to be placed in the luxury level where you have to wait hours before getting one trip

Will the low fares of Economy category take care of the car?
Bolt category or comfort is where any reasonable driver should be.
There's no where in Lagos where "Economy fuel" is sold.

@ourtruth247. A thought provoking piece.
I have always known we are not the only beings with intelligence on this Earth.

Bobodee09:
My brother am doing that tonight cos I really need not to add any BP wahala join things.

Those people in general after checking my BP insisted I see the doctor but I knew what caused it so I just scope them an ran away.

Once I see the doctor I will.be placed on drugs for life and I reject that for my generation.

Stop eating bread for a month, you will be shocked. I eat bread sparingly nowadays.

-Carrots and ginger.
- Take Cocoa powder ( 1 teaspoon )with warm water, .No milk no sugar. Every night .. In 3 weeks your BP will normalise.

Bobodee09:
I have just 2 girls and I don't pass myself.

The fact remains no one foreseen the economy will get this bad.

Inflation is making money made to be so lil......even managing small life style is costing two much.

Just to eat breakfast alone for family of 4 we spent more than 5k be it bread or yam.

Most money I make goes into foods and household needs so isnt as if am living a wasteful lifestyle

If you have a freezer (esp pepper ingredients)Buy foodstuff from farmers market. That can give you a small breather esp on basic food stuff, pepper, tomato, yams, sweet potatoes, fruits n veggies etc.
50k shopping in a farmer's market will go a long way.

Learn from this.

You can never go wrong from being a grateful and thankful person. It's imbibed in some cultures.
Infact, where I come from, if someone gives you something, you thank the person. The following day, you will still thank the person for the gift he gave you yesterday.

Doors will always be open for anyone full of gratitude. Let's learn not to take things for granted.

Ndubuisipaul1:
Am in love with this lady. She loves me too. But she always ask me for money.

If I had enough I will make sure I meet most of her need, due to how much I love her.

But the issue is that I don't have enough. So am withdrawing myself from her.
anytime she discover that am withdrawing from her she will complain .

I love her and it's hurt so much that I can't provide her with her basic needs.

Am just asking God, Why can't you give me money to take care of this girl?

She loves me I love her too but money no dey

... what's wrong with you? See signs like Neon billboards.

[quote author=IamMoses123 post=133659096]Please guys, I need your help, I am really going nut and I am loosing my mind, got married February 2023, and our sex lives was very great, we had fun almost on daily bases. She took in that same month of our marriage, but since then, having sex with my wife has been a huge task, through out the 9 months pregnancy I only had sex with her twice. Which I tried to understand with her, because some women's body react differently.
She gave birth November 2023 though through C.S, i gave her enough time like 4 months before I started making attempt again, and I felt everything will return back to normal, but it was as if the child birth aggravated the whole thing, she turns down every attempt with almost no excuse. She just gives flimsy excuses that she's not in the mood. I have had series of discussions with her on how I have been frustrated and she down plays all my serious feelings. I even jokingly threaten to get it from outside, yet she still doesn't take me ...

.

CheerfulGiver:
on Uber you do 40 trips in less time it takes you to do 20 trips on other apps. Factor that in.

Bolt is always back to back. and Bolt destination is a sure banger for 35k net minimum, for those who know when to deploy it.. So why strive for more trips when you could max out earnings with fewer trips..

I will give an instance. During these surge days before 25th. 2 trips on Bolt gave me 91k gross.n Bolt was charging me 16% commission.
And uber was still dangling 30trips for 40k.
Meanwhile on Bolt with 2 trips, I already have a net of 72k. This happened severally during the week, I outrightly rejected some trips.

CheerfulGiver:
Indrive unfortunately, has become a waste of time.

You are right. I was referring to Indrive of 2021. Atm,indrive is a very poor app.

Evidenx:
Find your way to a believing church today,God will revive you,you were attacked spiritually that's why u were weakened.

. .. spiritual attack..
God doesn't need all that to be good to you. Just practice gratitude and you will be fine.

Godfather10:
Don’t ask drivers for advice seek from owners as well .
Drivers are greedy and selfish

You are right on this though. There is a need for balance, so that both parties are happy.

55k per week as rent is very fair if you are in the rental biz so as to catch up with inflation. Cost of cars ,parts and maintenance are crazily incredible.

Shimmaa:
Idk.

Maybe a ratio of 70:30 would have been better cox paying 25,000 out of 150,000 is around 17% which is even less than the app commission that doesn't spend a dime takes...

You are only focused on the earnings. You must make allowance for contingencies, and I can tell you on Lagos roads, you have no control over that, they just pop out without informing you.

The truth is the driver always gets more than the owner in ehailng, that's the only way the partner - driver relationship can work..
Even Moove , a major fleet partner fully knows this truth.

Shimmaa:
I have no idea but 25k for 5days doesn't sound fair to me.

We have seen and heard where drivers are netting 30k daily, and someone is paying car owner 5k out of it...

The focus should be on the Golden goose laying the eggs. If the car is being taken care of and it's in excellent condition. It's a good deal. However, 30k might be considered a fair deal for 5 days.,provided the car is used in a responsible manner. Not trying to go inter state and flogging life out of the car.

I would rather have a careful and maintenance oriented driver than a rough and careless driver ..
I see some cars on ehailing and I'm like, damn, this is a rough driver.